AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your skin is flawless. Like seriously, I cannot wait until you get wrinkles. And those boobs you think are too large? Have you seen Luc’s hands? Perfect fit.”
I threw my head back and laughed. They both joined in.
“In all seriousness though, Ems,” River continued. “You are absolutely gorgeous from the tips of your pretty pink toenails to the top of your lush blond head. If we need to stand here all day in order to undo the years of bullshit your so-called family shoveled into your brain, we’ll do it.”
“The clothes are a crutch,” I whispered. “Some days it’s a struggle to block out their voices in my head. All I hear is them saying how fat I am or how if my clothes weren’t so tight, people wouldn’t be able to see my flaws.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I found your trash bags then, because that’s garbage and so are all those ugly clothes on your bed.”
“Defrumpify?” I smiled at Quin.
“Defrumpify.” She nodded, handing me a black bag.
*****
IT WAS CATHARTIC, yet terrifying at the same time. I never would have thought clothes, or the lack thereof, would be a source of anxiety, but as I stood in the closet, staring blankly at the empty space they’d once filled, my heart rate increased and my palms grew sweaty.
At first, I’d been ashamed, then I was pissed. Not at the girls though; at myself. It had taken mere moments to forget what I’d discovered years ago. I loved my body. Every dip and curve was essential to who I was as a person, not the other way around. My therapist would be thrilled with my revelation.
Stepping back, I stopped in front of the mirror and took in my appearance. Before they’d left, River and Quin helped me get ready for my date…fake date…whatever it was. I’d, reluctantly, allowed them to choose my outfit for the night when we were at the mall, however I wasn’t convinced it was appropriate.
The dark navy-blue dress fit me like a glove, accentuating the flare of my hips. But it was the plunging neckline, showing off a bit more of the girls than I was comfortable with, which gave me pause. Don’t even get me started on the silver slingback heels which made my legs look long and sleek. They were every little girl’s fantasy come to life.
The last thing I wanted was to give Luc the wrong impression. I knew what this was, even though deep down in my heart, I wished for it to be real. He was a good man, coming to the aid of a damsel in distress. Nothing more, nothing less.
I took a calming breath and when I exhaled, the doorbell rang. He was right on time. Butterflies erupted in my stomach as I grabbed my new silver clutch off the bed and walked out of the room.
The sight before me when I opened the front door nearly stole my breath and my knees actually did knock together. Luc always looked handsome, but standing on my threshold wearing a charcoal-gray suit with a silver button-down shirt and navy tie, which matched my dress, he looked like something straight out of a magazine.
“Where’s your brace?”
His gruff voice brought me out of my musing before I had a chance to start drooling, for which I was thankful. Rather than answering, I focused on the enormous bouquet of flowers he held in his hands.
“Are those for me?” I asked, extricating the multicolored bunch from his hands.
“Irises represent new beginnings, among other things, plus they’re exquisite.” He leaned in, his lips grazing my cheek. “Like you.”
Avoiding his eyes, I quickly moved away from the intensity he invoked to the kitchen, flinging open cabinets until I found the only vase I owned. The snick of the door closing was the first indication he’d followed me inside. The heat at my back as he placed both hands on the counter on either side of me, effectively caging me in, was the second.
“You didn’t answer my question, Emory.” His whispered words floated against the shell of my ear.
“I-It didn’t match my dress.”
I shuddered when he pulled away, only to be shocked when his hands landed firmly on my hips and I was turned to face him.
“Babe, give me your eyes.”
Ever so slowly, I raised them to meet his stormy gaze.
“I don’t want you getting hurt. Please go put it on.”
“Okay,” I muttered.
Less than five minutes later, we were in his car, driving toward the nearby town of Shadow’s Edge. He said we had reservations, but other than that little tidbit, he’d been very tight-lipped about where exactly he was taking me. From our attire, I assumed it wasn’t McDonald’s.
Driving through the mountains was beautiful any time of year, however with Luc at my side and the soft sounds of classical music playing in the background, it was even more astonishing. He asked me about my week, particularly if I’d had any interactions with Seth. I told him about the CPS investigation and how Seth was temporarily living with his grandmother. Not wanting to bring up the threats Mr. Jacobs had made, I shifted the conversation over to the budding friendship I saw between Sophia and Seth.
“Fia’s a good kid,” he announced. “I trust her judgment.”
